Facsimile server that distributes received image data to a secondary destination

Abstract

The present invention provides a facsimile server including a facsimile receiving unit for receiving image data and a distributing unit for distributing the image data that is received by the facsimile receiving unit to an original destination. The facsimile server also includes a storing unit for storing the image data when not distributed to the original destination. The distributing unit distributes the stored image data to a second destination that differs from the original destination.

1. A facsimile server comprising:
 a facsimile receiving means for receiving image data from an original sender; 
 a distributing means for distributing the image data that is received by the facsimile receiving means to an original destination; 
 a storing means for storing the image data when not distributed to the original destination; and 
 associating means for associating, independently of input from a recipient of the image data, independently of the received image data, independently of the location of the original destination, independently of the original sender, and independently of input from the original destination, the original destination with a second destination that differs from the original destination; 
 wherein the distributing means distributes the stored image data to the second destination, 
 wherein the means for associating comprises an accepting means for accepting indication of the second destination independently of the original sender, and wherein the distributing means determines the second destination in accordance with the indication that is accepted by the accepting means, 
 wherein the means for associating comprises an accepting means for accepting an indication of whether to delete the stored image data after distribution by the distribution means independently of the original sender. 
 
   
   
     2. The facsimile server according to  claim 1  wherein the associating means comprises a table that defines the second destination in association with each original destination, wherein the distributing means determines the second destination in accordance with the table, when the image data cannot be distributed to the original destination within a prescribed period of time. 
   
   
     3. The facsimile server according to  claim 1 , wherein the original destination or the second destination is a printer. 
   
   
     4. The facsimile server according to  claim 1 , wherein the original destination or the second destination is a client terminal. 
   
   
     5. The facsimile server according to  claim 1 , wherein the original destination or the second destination is an electronic mail receiving terminal. 
   
   
     6. The facsimile server according to  claim 1 , wherein the original destination or the second destination is another facsimile machine. 
   
   
     7. The facsimile server according to  claim 1 , wherein the accepting means for accepting indication of the second destination is an operating unit of the facsimile server. 
   
   
     8. A facsimile server comprising:
 a facsimile receiving unit for receiving image data from an original sender; 
 a distributing unit for distributing the image data that is received by the facsimile receiving unit to an original destination; 
 a storing unit for storing the image data when not distributed to the original destination; and 
 an associating unit for associating, independently of input from a recipient of the image data, independently of the received image data, independently of the location of the original destination, independently of the original sender, and independently of input from the original destination, the original destination with a second destination that differs from the original destination; 
 wherein the distributing unit distributes the stored image data to the second destination, 
 wherein the associating unit comprises an accepting unit for accepting indication of the second destination independently of the original sender, and wherein 
 the distributing unit determines the second destination in accordance with the indication that is accepted by the accepting unit, 
 wherein the associating unit comprises an accepting unit for accepting an indication of whether to delete the stored image data after distribution by the distributing unit independently of the original sender. 
 
   
   
     9. The facsimile server according to  claim 8  wherein the associating unit comprises a table that defines the second destination in association with each original destination, wherein the distributing unit determines the second destination in accordance with the table, when the image data cannot be distributed to the original destination within a prescribed period of time. 
   
   
     10. The facsimile server according to  claim 8 , wherein the original destination or the second destination is a printer. 
   
   
     11. The facsimile server according to  claim 8 , wherein the original destination or the second destination is a client terminal. 
   
   
     12. The facsimile server according to  claim 8 , wherein the original destination or the second destination is an electronic mail receiving terminal. 
   
   
     13. The facsimile server according to  claim 8 , wherein the original destination or the second destination is another facsimile machine. 
   
   
     14. The facsimile server according to  claim 8 , wherein the accepting unit for accepting indication of the second destination is an operating unit of the facsimile server. 
   
   
     15. A method for distributing image data that is received by a facsimile server, comprising:
 receiving image data from an original sender; 
 associating, independently of input from a recipient of the image data, independently of the received image data, independently of a location of an original destination, independently of the original sender, and independently of input from the original destination, the original destination with a second destination that differs from the original destination; and 
 distributing the received image data to the second destination, when the received image data cannot be distributed to the original destination, 
 wherein the original destination is associated with the second destination by accepting the indication of the second destination independently of the original sender; and 
 wherein the second destination is determined in accordance with the accepted indication, 
 wherein the image data is deleted after distribution by accepting an indication of whether the image data is to be deleted after distribution independently of the original sender. 
 
   
   
     16. The method according to  claim 15  wherein the original destination is associated with the second destination by a table stored in the facsimile server defining the second destination in association with original destination; and
 wherein the second destination is determined in accordance with the original destination, when the image data cannot be distributed to original destination within a prescribed period of time. 
 
   
   
     17. The method according to  claim 15  further comprising providing the original destination or the second destination as a printer. 
   
   
     18. The method according to  claim 15  further comprising providing the original destination or the second destination as a client terminal. 
   
   
     19. The method according to  claim 15  further comprising providing the original destination or the second destination as an electronic mail receiving terminal. 
   
   
     20. The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the indication of the second destination is accepted by an operating unit of the facsimile server.